"& It Was U"

Weird World / Acéphale

Artists:

Total Loss is the second record from Tom Krell, aka How to Dress Well. The previous two singles from the album, "Ocean Floor for Everything" and "Cold Nites", took on a more ambient and somber tone, while "& It Was U" possesses an easy rhythmic lilt and retains a level of warmth. In his review of Total Loss today, Ian Cohen noted that the song's "accumulating harmonies disguise an imploding relationship over joyous new jack swing", and said that "it maybe lacks the shock of his earliest singles, and that's fine: Coming from someone discovering that his love for a style of music and his ability to pay it homage are starting to intersect, it's every bit as promising." There's more going on in the track-- rhythmic patterns coming in and out of focus with varying levels of forward thrust-- but mostly this is a showcase for Krell's able vocal capabilities. His inclusion of R&B as part of his beguiling aesthetic has been a focal point for many since his excellent 2010 debut, Love Remains, and "& It Was U" is one of the most straightforward realizations yet of his unique take on the genre.